Robotic semantics

I read Colin Barras's article on literacy in robots with interest as well as some amusement, given the quirks and vagaries of the English language (27 November, p 22). It is easy to envision a robot-owner presenting his digital charge with a task list consisting of: dust the floors; prepare two rabbits for tonight's dinner.

A few hours later the robot files its report: all floors have been covered with exactly 5 millimetres of dust; both rabbits were bathed, but it was necessary to borrow two small frocks from your daughter's doll set so they will be presentable at dinner.

The editor writes:

• Thank goodness for semantics software. By programming the robot to query online databases and dictionaries, such domestic calamities may be averted.

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